SBI has said that it will recruit 14,000 employees this year 
Special 
SBI has said that it will recruit 14,000 employees this year A day after proposing its voluntary retirement scheme, the State Bank of India (SBI) has said that it will recruit 14,000 employees this year. The SBI said in a statement, "It has been employee-friendly and is expanding its operation and requires people, which is evidenced by the fact that Bank has plans of recruiting more than 14,000 employees this year". It also added that its VRS is not cost-cutting.
SBI's statement on hiring came after former Finance Minister P Chidambaram slammed the proposed VRS Scheme.
"News reports say that SBI plans to implement a VRS scheme as an 'economic measure'. In normal times the plan would be debatable. In these abnormal times, when the economy has collapsed and jobs are scarce, it is cruel," Chidambaram tweeted.
News reports say that SBI plans to implement a VRS scheme as an economy measure
P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 7, 2020
In normal times the plan would be debatable. In these abnormal times, when the economy has collapsed and jobs are scarce, it is cruel
"The plan is ostensibly voluntary but we know that subtle pressure will be brought on the employees that the Bank wants to get rid of. If the current rules provide for genuine voluntary retirement, why announce a new plan and give out an exact number like 30,190?" Chidambaram added.
If Indias biggest lender has to shed jobs, imagine what other big employers and MSMEs are doing
P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 7, 2020
The plan is ostensibly voluntary but we know that subtle pressure will be brought on the employees that the Bank wants to get rid of
If the current rules provide for genuine voluntary retirement, why announce a new plan and give out an exact number like 30,190?
P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 7, 2020
Yesterday, SBI proposed a voluntary retirement scheme under which the bank said about 30,190 employees are eligible. SBI has an existing workforce of around 2.50 lakh. Against this backdrop, the bank has decided to provide a congenial solution to employees "who expressed a desire for making strategic shifts in their vocations, either due to professional growth limitations, physical health conditions or other situations," SBI said.
The SBI has reportedly prepared a draft scheme for VRS and only board approval is awaited. As per the draft scheme, 'Second Innings Tap VRS-2020' will be opened to all permanent officers and staff who have put in 25 years of service or completed 55 years of age on the cut-off date.
The VRS will open from December 1, 2020 till February 2021. As per the proposed eligibility criteria, a total of 11,565 officers and 18,625 staff members will be eligible for the scheme.
According to the SBI, total net savings would be Rs 1,662.86 crore if 30 per cent of eligible staff opt for retirement, as per estimates based on July 2020 salary.
The SBI staff whose request for retirement under VRS will get accepted will get ex-gratia amounting 50 per cent of salary for the residual period of service (up to the date of superannuation).
Other benefits like gratuity, pension, provident and medical benefits will be given to employees seeking VRS.
"A staff member retired under the scheme will be eligible for engagement or re-employment in the bank after a cooling-off period of two years from the date of retirement," SBI added.
Also read: SBI VRS scheme 2020: Check out eligibility, compensation, other details
Also read: SBI moots VRS scheme to optimise costs, 30,000 employees eligible
Copyright©2025 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today
